As an uncommitted and less adventurous café hopper, Ramadhan – the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community – is the one time of year that I most actively seek out enticing dinner destinations. In light of the innumerable new Korean-inspired cafés which have cropped up all across our little island, this list compiles a handful of established or budding Muslim-owned and Halal certified Korean restaurants in Singapore!
1.Syabibimbap
We’re going to have to trust the internet on this one, but Syabibimbap is one of many home-based Korean restaurants to open up in Singapore – that is actually Halal. Specialising in Bibimbap, a Korean rice dish which is sometimes romanized as ‘bi bim bap’ or ‘bi bim bop’, Syabibimbap presents a beautiful and delicious mess of fresh ingredients.
Crunchy, spicy, savoury and sweet, all at once, Syabibimbap currently offers two variations of the traditional dish – the $12 Dak Bulgogi and the $14 Beef Bulgogi. Served with rice, and loaded with assorted and sauteed vegetables, each dish features the brand’s special homemade Kimchi slaw, alongside poached eggs and a side of homemade Spicy Sambal Gochujang, topped by generously seasoned, tender chicken or beef slices.
Syabibimbap
2. Gerill Bab
Officially Halal-certified, the Gerill Bab at Ang Mo Kio hub represents the first casual eatery serving up halal Korean grilled meat bowls from a convenient takeaway kiosk. Offering an affordable hearty bowl of Korean rice-or-noodle-based dishes, Gerill Bab’s metal griddle techniques are loosely reminiscent of Japanese Teppanyaki, and the outlet is most notably centered by a concrete brick counter which is modelled after the traditional Korean Hanok.
Showcasing a variety of bibimbap alternatives including, the $6.80 chicken, $7.80 fish, $7.80 beef patty, $8.80 garlic butter prawn, and $11.80 premium beef variations, each dish features a multitude of sides in the form of kimchi, sliced cucumber, sous vide egg and seaweed flakes.
Gerill Bab
Address: 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 #B2-19, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Singapore 569933
Operating Hours: 11am – 9pm, daily
3. Seoul Sedap
Situated at the Kim San Leng Coffee Shop at Blk 138 Tampines St 11, Seoul Sedap is a Chinese-Muslim owned stall serving halal Korean Army Stew, Ramyeon, Rice Bowls, Korean Fried Chicken, Tteokbokki and more!
Worth an estimated $24.90 the Korean Army Stew can feed up to two or three hungry guests, and even comes in a cheesy variation for an additional $5, or as a single-serving dish for a mere $8.90.
Other popular dishes include the Korean fried chicken which is available in various flavours including, Soy Garlic, Spicy, Original and Mix, and is sold in sets of 4 to 18 pieces for an estimated $5.20-$21.20. Of course, no Korean menu is complete without a delectable selection of bibimbap rice dishes. Served with tofu, chicken or beef, for an average of $6.50-$7.50, this Muslim-owned restaurant also offers a $10.90 spicy seafood variation.
Seoul Sedap
Address: Blk 138 Tampines St 11, #01-148
Operating Hours: 10am-9pm, daily
4. Hanok By Masizzim
Regarded the halal spin-off of the South Korean Masizzim chain, Hanok specialises in a variety of galbi-jjim (meat stews) and other traditional Korean dishes including the $18.80 Beef Rib Stew, $38.80 Spicy Seafood and Beef Stew, $12.80 Potato/Squid and Leek Pancake, $14.80 Spicy Squid, and $9.80 Honey Mustard Cheese Egg Roll.
Freshly fried upon order, each potato or squid and leek pancake presents both an authentic yet innovative take on the traditional Korean snack, whilst Hanok’s plate of spicy fried squid showcases a delectable mix of sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, sliced onions, carrots, sesame seeds for added flavour and texture. Offering soup alternatives for those who prefer a lighter broth, Hanok is revered for their vast array of slow-cooked stews, which are most notably topped by a fresh selection of tender and flavourful meat.
Hanok Masizzim
Address: #01-07 Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532
Operating Hours: (Sun-Thurs): 11am-9:30pm, (Fri-Sat): 11am-10pm
5. Egg Stop
While I refuse to believe this is solely a Korean trend, toasted sandwiches have taken 2021 by storm, with innumerable cafes and food stands opening up across the island. Offering a halal version of Korea’s signature toast, Egg Stop is a local kiosk that brands itself as a ‘Korean sandwich shack’ influenced by American style breakfast comfort food.
Complete with an array of freshly brewed coffees and sparkling ades, Egg Stop offers a variety of a la carte sandwiches for an estimated $4.60 – $7.90, alongside set meals for an additional $2. Featuring a total of six unique sandwiches, Egg Stop’s menu includes, the $4.60 Signature Sandwich, $4.90 Chicken Ham & Cheese, $5.50 Turkey Bacon & Cheese, $5.90 Smoked Chicken, $7.40 Beef Teriyaki, and $7.90 Avocado & Egg.
Egg Stop
Address: 60 Paya Lebar Road, Paya Lebar Square, #01-62, Singapore 409051
Operating Hours: 10am-10pm, daily
6. OMOOMO
The last way I’d ever expect a restaurant or café to describe their food is ‘Surprisingly Good’, but the team behind OMOOMO seems to be owning it in the most unexpected way. Offering a variety of Korean-Japanese cuisine, OMOOMO aims to fuse the flavours of both cultures with expert cooking techniques to create unique brands that will provide ‘a WOW dining experience’.
Named after the Korean expression used to describe amazement and surprise, ‘OMO’ meaning “OH MY”, is a Halal-certified eatery offering ‘Build-Your-Own’ menu alternatives, on top of vast selection of rice bowls, ramen, teppan, and sides.
OMOOMO
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, The Star Vista , #02-14/15, Singapore 138617
Operating Hours: 11:30am-9pm, daily
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7. Muk-Bang
Situated within the Viva Business Park, Muk-Bang prides themselves in serving authentic and Halal-certified Korean cuisine, such as their signature Grilled Saba Fish, home-style Kimchi Fried Rice, $12.90 Galbi Tang Ribeye Beef Soup, $9.90 Ramyeon Kimchi, and $25.90 BBQ Chicken.
Muk-Bang
Address: 750 Chai Chee Rd, Singapore 469000
Operating Hours: 11am – 9:30pm, daily
8. Captain Kim Korean BBQ & Hotpot Buffet
Located a mere five minutes walk from Tampines MRT, Captain Kim Korean BBQ & Hotpot Buffet is MUIS Halal-Certified! Helmed by the ever-stringent Captain Kim, this restaurant showcases over 60 diversified buffet ingredients of top-notch quality, and meats that are marinated to regimental perfection with refreshing free-flow drinks!
Deliciously-fresh and yet affordable, Captain Kim Korean BBQ & Hotpot Buffet provides an authentic gogigui experience with a variety of flavourful meats such as Honey Chicken, Volcano Chicken and Bulgogi Beef, alongside other delicacies in the form of japchae and tteokbokki!
Captain Kim Korean BBQ & Hotpot Buffet
Address: NTUC Income Tampines Junction – 300 Tampines Avenue 5 #01-06 Singapore, Singapore 529653
Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri): 11.30am – 3.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
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9. Ha-Jun Korean
Finally yet another affordable, Halal-certified Korean restaurant in the West! Designed to satisfy all of your kimchi soup cravings, whilst providing an uniquely atypical selection of traditional delicacies. The restaurant is thus, best known for their $5.50 Kimchi Dumpling Ramen, $8.50 Ginseng Chicken Soup, $5.50 Korean Fried Rice Cake, and $5 Kimchi Pancake.
Ha-Jun Korean @ Hillion mall
Address: 17 Petir Rd, Singapore 678278
Operating Hours: 10am-10pm, daily
Ha-Jun Korean @ Westgate
Address: 3 Gateway Dr, B2-K9 Westgate, Singapore 608532
Operating Hours: 10am-9pm, daily
Ha-Jun Korean @ Clementi Central
Address: 3155 Commonwealth Ave W, #04-33, Singapore 129588
Ha-Jun Korean @ Raffles
Address: Hong Leong Building Basement 1 – #B1-20/21, 16 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048581
10. Dosirak
Fast, convenient and inclusive — Dosirak presents traditional Korean food, reinvented for modern consumers who live ‘at the speed of Seoul’. Inspired by childhood summers spent on their grandparents’ farm, Dosirak was founded by Eugene and Edward, who have dedicated their careers to updating and incorporating old family recipes to make them accessible to everyone.
Specialising in bibimbap, Dosirak prides itself in being a fast and healthy Korean eatery, which utilizes high quality ingredients! Complete with a variety of homemade lunch boxes, Dosirak aims to bring carefully prepared healthy and tasty meals to you, at your convenience.
Dosirak
Address: 6A Shenton Way, #01-44 OUE Downtown Gallery, Singapore 068815
Operating Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:30am-5pm
